Should Selectman Russ Harding Resign?

So at the BOS meeting tonight a letter from Russ was read. He has advised that he will continue on a leave of absence through February, 28th.

As a resident and as someone who voted for Russ, I'm pissed. He was voted in to represent the people of Danville he is not doing what he was elected to do. As Curt posted above he should either show up and do what the townspeople elected him to do, or he should resign and allow the people to have proper representation.

I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. - Thomas Jefferson

To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors, is sinful and tyrannical. - Thomas Jefferson

Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one. - Benjamin Franklin

ET Article wrote:BRENTWOOD — Only days before he was to go on trial, Danville Selectman Russell Harding has pleaded guilty to assaulting a teenage boy and received a suspended jail sentence.

Harding, 36, had previously pleaded not guilty to two simple assault charges but admitted to a reporter he pushed the boy during a confrontation last summer. His trial was to begin Monday in Rockingham Superior Court.

...

Shawn O'Neil

“The trouble with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people’s money” –Margaret Thatcher

In a comment on the ET article, I wrote:I feel bad for Russ Harding. He worked really hard for the town before this incident happened last summer, not just as a selectman but also on the conservation committee and on the town web site committee.

I'm not making excuses for either what he did that night or how he handled it afterwards, including his continued participation in town government.

But people are not all good or all bad. I see a young man who made an error in judgment and who likely will suffer for it the rest of his life, now that he has a criminal record and all this stuff will come up when you type his name into a search engine.

I have to assume he pushed the kid, otherwise why would he have plead guilty.

I was surprised that there was no plea bargain down to a violation-level offense, like disorderly conduct. A violation, like speeding is not a crime. That is why Wade is not in any jeopardy with his case, as he is charged with a violation-level offense.

A few years ago there was a prostitution sting, I can't remember if it was in southern NH or in Lawrence. A bunch of "johns" got nabbed. The ones with lawyers quickly plead guilty to disorderly conduct and were happy to pay a fine because they had no criminal record as a result. The ones without lawyers were eventually found guilty of soliciting prostitution, a misdemeanor and therefore a crime.

This chapter in our Town is coming to an end. There will be a meeting of the Board on Monday 8/26 to discuss his resignation, and the process/time frame for the appointment of a replacement for former Selectmen Harding's seat on the Board of Selectmen.

Shawn O'Neil

“The trouble with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people’s money” –Margaret Thatcher